MARTIN JOHNSON has urged England to win back the faith of the Twickenham crowd with a ferocious start and victorious finish to tomorrow’s Six Nations showdown with France.

When Johnson was captain, England transformed Twickenham into a fortress with an unbeaten run of 22 home games that stretched between the 1999 World Cup and their triumph in 2003.

But England have won just 55 per cent of their home internationals – 16 from 29 Tests – since Johnson retired as captain after lifting the Webb Ellis Trophy.

Now England manager, Johnson heard his side booed from the field during the autumn internationals and their laboured performance in victory over a poor Italy side was greeted by catcalls from frustrated punters, some of whom had spent upwards of £80 for their ticket.

Since then, England have dropped to their worst ever world ranking of eighth on the back of away defeats to Wales and Ireland and a flurry of yellow cards.

Johnson believes England will return to Twickenham stronger for the experience – and he called on the current generation to give the fans something to cheer about and start transforming the old cabbage patch into an inhospitable venue once again.

“When I was captain we won games because we were a good, experienced team. One thing we always said when we played there was that it was not up to he crowd to get us in the game, it is the other way round,” said Johnson. “We need to do that on Sunday. If you don’t play well you face the consequences and if you get beaten people will not be happy. That is one of the consequences of what we do.

“The first 20 minutes is important, as it is for all games but when you are at home to get the crowd behind you and give them something to get hold of.

“This has been the best training week we have had. We have to make sure that transfers onto the pitch.”